Alcock re-signs for Force’s

The Western Force’s retention drive has continued with flanker Chris Alcock the latest to re-sign with the Western Australian club for its 10th season of Asteron Life Super Rugby in 2015.

Chris Alcock

Alcock, who has re-signed for another two seasons, has played 19 matches for the Western Force – and 44 Asteron Life Super Rugby matches in total – since joining the Western Australian club for the 2013 season.

The 26-year-old was limited to just three matches this season as a result of a shoulder injury, having been one of two players – alongside scrumhalf Alby Mathewson – to have played every match the season prior.Alcock says he’s looking forward to returning to the field for the Force in 2015.

“You definitely get the hunger to play again when you’re sitting on the sideline watching the guys win nine games, so I definitely want to get back out there and be a part of it,” he said.

“I’m very excited to be back on board with the Force. We have a great group of guys here and I love living in Perth; it’s a great community and I was very excited when I got the opportunity to stay for another two years.

“We’ve got some outstanding competition in the back row at the moment. If you’re feeling comfortable in a position you’re not being pushed and you’re not going to be playing at your best, and I think we’re all pushing each other to be the best players we can be.

“The big thing at the moment is we want to play for each other and by doing that we’ve become close on and off the field.

“When I signed on originally I felt this was a team on the way up. Last year we showed some of that potential and lost several close games, we just needed to learn how to close out games. This year we took that experience and learned from it. We’re showing that we’re a team to be reckoned with and we’re all very driven to take it to the next step next year.”

Head Coach Michael Foley says Alcock will continue to be an important member of the Western Australian forward pack.

“Chris has become a highly-regarded member of our squad over the last 18 months,” he said. “With a back row of Chris, ‘Hodgo’ [Matt Hodgson], Benny [McCalman], Gus [Cottrell] and Brynard [Stander], we have players that carry well in attack as well as force turnovers through excellent pressure in defence.

“Having known Chris over an extended period, I know playing for his mates matters to him and he has a burning desire to continue to improve.

“While injury limited his opportunities in 2014, he will again be challenging the boys for a position in our match 23 next season.”